Cabinet Vision recently hosted its third meeting of the Cabinet Vision Breakfast Club-Ohio Chapter, a gathering designed to enhance the knowledge and capabilities of Cabinet Vision users and provide the opportunity for participants to network with peers.
 
Nineteen different companies that utilize the design-to-manufacturing solution were represented at the event, which imparted detailed technical knowledge and encouraged discussion among attendees.
 
“Everyone participated in the discussions and customers were helping other customers,” said Territory Sales Manager Mike Littlejohn. “Attendees were even exchanging contact information to find ways to help each other process jobs.”

In addition to a technical overview of Cabinet Vision Version 11, many attendees were introduced to WorkPLAN, an ERP job-management solution especially suited for job shops, as well as custom and made-to-order manufacturers.
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“Other users brought up questions and issues that we've never had, or hadn't thought of, so it is an opportunity for learning and also helping,” said Production Engineer Richard Stokes of Spyker Manufacturing, who attended the meeting. “We also made lots of new acquaintances at the meeting and discussed manufacturing challenges with them. Those discussions are always beneficial because they sometimes lead to practical solutions, but always help to reassure you that you're not alone in dealing with those issues.”
 
Cabinet Vision Applications Engineer Sandy McClintock was on hand to answer the group’s technical questions, and to provide tips and tricks for maximizing the program’s capabilities.
 
“I was interested in meeting other users and having the tech online to demonstrate how to use some of the features and get some pointers,” said Draftsman/CNC Programmer Matt Bauman of Swiss Woodcraft, a meeting attendee who expressed interest in learning how to fully utilize the solution’s photo-realistic rendering capabilities.
 
In addition to in-depth technical discussions, the gathering included guidance on how to best navigate and utilize all available customer-support options.
 
“We went over a lot of information about the customer portal that I wasn’t unaware of,” said Senior Design Consultant Connie Enlow, an attendee from Closet Factory of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. “That was helpful, and the networking was a good thing. I feel like other companies did a lot of swapping of information of people who could manufacture our parts.”
 
A tour of nearby woodworking company Dover Cabinet Industries was part of the event itinerary, and provided a means by which to see software and machinery in action. “It was good to get some insight into new machinery and see how they integrate it with Cabinet Vision,” Enlow said.
 
About Vero Software
Headquartered in England, Vero Software designs, develops, and supplies CAD/CAM/CAE software radically enhancing the efficiency of design and manufacturing processes, providing its customers with exceptional value through high productivity gains and significantly reducing time to market.
 
The company’s world-renowned brands include Alphacam, Cabinet Vision, Edgecam, Machining STRATEGIST, PEPS, Radan, SMIRT, Surfcam, WorkNC and VISI, along with the production control MRP system Javelin. Despite the diversity of application, these solutions have one thing in common: they all address the rising challenges of achieving manufacturing efficiencies and bring huge value to the operations in which they are deployed.
 
Vero has direct offices in the UK, Germany, Italy, France, Japan, USA, Brazil, Netherlands, China, South Korea, Spain and India supplying products to more than 45 countries through its wholly owned subsidiaries and reseller network.
 
Vero is part of Hexagon (Nordic exchange: HEXA B), a leading global provider of information technologies that drive quality and productivity across geospatial and industrial enterprise applications.
 
For more information, please visit www.verosoftware.com.

Workforce development, an all-too-relevant topic in our industry, was the focus of the November 9, 2018 Cabinet Makers Association (CMA) regional event held at The MiLL National Training Center in Colorado Springs. The event also included a tour of Concepts in Millwork.  

The MiLL is the industry’s first national training center where students can learn cabinetmaking and general construction; the evolving program is also soon adding a welding option. Founded by Dean Mattson, the MiLL’s program was initially offered to nearby high schools to complement their curriculum and offer yet another opportunity for their students to gain real-world training.

The MiLL has now expanded its original scope to include classes in the evenings for the Wounded Warrior Project in collaboration with Red Rocks Community College.

The entire program is designed to be replicated throughout the country and plans are already in the works for additional locations.

Students at The MiLL are not simply taught necessary woodworking skills; they also acquire a professional skill set that is quite remarkable. They are encouraged to create business cards as soon as possible, and to network all the time, wherever they are. They are also taught the importance of eye contact and a firm handshake. “These kids make a very strong first impression,” says Amanda Conger, the executive director of the CMA.

Concepts in Millwork, a family-owned commercial millwork company, uses The MiLL to source their workforce. During the CMA event at the MiLL, HR manager Rhynel Evans was part of a panel discussion and explained that she realized the Concepts needed to be creative in their recruiting methods. And so, they began their partnership with The MiLL by offering students an internship program the summer before their senior year. During the 12-week program, the interns are cross-trained in every major area on the shop floor. Concepts has not only had 100 percent placement after graduation but also has a 100 percent retention rate with those employees.

Evans admits that it takes effort. “Managing this generation takes flexibility and patience,” she stated.  “They often require customized arrangements, and Concepts has had to learn to adapt to their needs.” One of their employees had trouble getting to work on time in the mornings because he had a new baby at home. After some consideration, they mutually agreed to switch him to the second shift and this has worked out great.

Everyone attending the Colorado Spring event was urged to get involved in their local communities and create a partnership with their respective education programs. Dean Mattson also encouraged companies to establish their own internal education program to train and retain their current employees.

Another highlight of the event was the presentation of two scholarships to students of The MiLL by Darryl Hogeback of Savanté Wine Cellars, based in Denver, Colorado. Hogeback was recently awarded prize money by Woodworking Network for an extra-spectacular project, and he chose to donate his winnings to support The MiLL. Upon hearing about Hogeback’s generosity, the management at Columbia Forest Products agreed to match the amount. This development made it possible to offer two scholarships instead of just one. The initiative created the school’s first official scholarship program, and he encourages others to follow suit and make additional contributions.

Hogeback shared his background and passion for training the future workforce in the Fall 2018 issue of CMA’s PROfiles, magazine.  The entire article can be read online at bit.ly/CMA-savante 

“I came from a high school in Ohio that had a really great shop and taught industrial arts, so I learned woodworking and architectural drawing, and that all helped me in my career path. My teacher would always take students to the state competition, and they would win every year.
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“They got rid of that program at my high school about five years ago, and put in a weight-lifting gym instead. It was heart-breaking. It’s a lost opportunity to introduce kids to the trades — woodworking, metal working, welding, automotive work, etc. — and let them find out that they’re good at working with their hands.”

Like others in the industry, he hopes that kids will realize that woodworking offers a great future, reliable work and a lot of satisfaction.

“There’s something powerful about building something with your hands and seeing it afterward,” he says. “I hear that from people a lot. My clients often say they wish they could build something.”

During Stiles annual European Benchmarking Technology Tour, manufacturing professionals and leaders from across North America had the unique opportunity to experience behind-the-scenes tours of some of the most innovative, efficient, and productive manufacturing facilities in the world. The event, which took place September 22-29 , 2018, gave participants the opportunity to benchmark their own operations against global leaders in Germany and the Czech Republic, giving them a competitive advantage in the marketplace and equipping them with valuable knowledge and tools that will affect the overall success of their companies for years to come.

The tour kicked off in the Czech Republic, where attendees were welcomed into a variety of facilities ranging from highly advanced, automated production, to smaller family-owned shops who depend on world-class technology to meet the standards of quality and craftsmanship that have been a hallmark of the area for generations. Regardless of the size of the company, the common thread evident in each facility was a focus on technology and automation to meet rising consumer and customization demands. Participants experienced intelligent networked production systems that showcased innovative storage and retrieval technologies, batch size one capabilities, edge processing techniques, and finishing and packaging systems for a fully optimized production process from start to finish.

One of the tour highlights included a stop at HOMAG production facilities in Schopfloch, Germany, where Mr. Andreas Denker, VP of Sales and Marketing for HOMAG shared the latest technology trends including software solutions, newly designed machines with intelligent features, and digital breakthroughs made possible with tapio, the world’s first IoT platform designed to support the entire value chain of the woodworking industry from the palm of your hand.

In addition to gaining a behind-the-scenes look at how global leaders are addressing challenges and opportunities within the industry, attendees also enjoyed cultural experiences throughout the week-long event including medieval cities, historic market squares and the ever popular Volksfest fall celebration in Stuttgart, Germany.

For more information about Stiles’ European Benchmarking Technology Tour or to be the first to receive exclusive information and registration details for Stiles upcoming events, visit www.stilesmachinery.com/events

About Stiles Machinery
As the industry’s leading provider of advanced manufacturing solutions, Stiles has been helping manufacturers throughout
North America increase their efficiency and productivity for over 50 years. With world-class machinery backed by an
experienced and responsive support team, extensive parts inventory, unique upgrade capabilities and a nationally accredited education and training program, Stiles offers solutions that equip companies for success in every area of their business. Headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Stiles has regional offices in High Point, North Carolina; Bristol, Pennsylvania; Coppell, Texas; and Rancho Cucamonga, California. Stiles is a proud member of the HOMAG Group, a global leader in the production of industrial manufacturing machinery.

TableLegs.com’s Industrial Metal Tapered legs are a big step ahead of the ubiquitous hairpin leg—a sturdier, more distinctive design with its feet firmly planted in the 21st century. They're a great solution for thicker table tops and live edge slabs, while the splayed stance and open silhouette make them suitable for Mid-Century furniture as well. 

With their natural variations in color and surface, the Antique Copper, Black Steel and Hammered Bronze legs are equally at home in rustic and contemporary industrial motifs. The more refined surface of the Satin Stainless is ideal for more polished settings—they're especially dramatic with darker wood tops.

Direct attachment makes Industrial Metal Tapered legs incredibly easy to install. Just affix the legs to the base of the table with 4 included screws. Two sizes—16" and 28"—make these perfect for dining tables, desks, benches, coffee tables and more. The legs are made from a single strip of cold-rolled steel, laser cut into a continuous taper, then thrice bent backward and welded to itself. Each leg is carefully detailed by hand with lightly chamfered edges.

Matthew Burak, owner and designer at TableLegs.com, notes that “With a heavy, slab-wood table top, you don’t want to be under-gunned with a light leg, like a hairpin. The Industrial Metal leg will hold a big, slab table top and a lot of weight. It creates a beautiful fusion with wood and is one of the easiest ways imaginable to build a great looking table."

• Easy to install: Simply attach with included screws
• Available in two sizes and four finishes: 16" for benches and coffee tables, 28" for dining tables and desks
• Splayed and tapered form: Perfect for Mid-Century Modern, Industrial, Rustic, Contemporary settings
• Superior strength: Cold rolled steel offers a more stable and sturdy alternative to hairpin legs

Laser cut and detailed: Lightly chamfered edges and continuous taper for a sophisticated look

See the product here: https://www.tablelegs.com/shop-by-products/new-products/industrial-metal-tapered-legs/
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About TableLegs.com: TableLegs.com is a Vermont company that designs and manufactures quality components for furniture, cabinetry and architecture, along with fine finished and unfinished furniture. They sell directly to professional woodworkers, furniture makers, hobbyists and do-it-yourselfers. Balanced proportion, crisp detail, and easy assembly are hallmarks of all our products.

Lockdowel Inc., the glue-less, tool-less fastening company that is propelling the woodworking industry to simpler lower cost assembly, announces the addition of Stephen P. Anderson as the company’s CEO. 

Anderson is an expert in increasing company value through customer focus, employee engagement, and continuous improvement through lean implementation.  He brings more than 25 years of experience leading private, public and family-owned building and wood product companies--including Enkeboll Designs, Pergo, and Wellborn Forest Products. Anderson has learned that lean principles and practices can be applied to any business and business process, and is looking forward to working with the team at Lockdowel to make the company the preferred source for woodworking fastening systems.   He holds a Masters of Management and an M.B.A. from the Drucker School at Claremont Graduate University in Claremont, California, and a B.S. in Psychology from Adams State University in Alamosa, Colorado.

 “Lockdowel enables simple, fast assembly, installation and Ready-To-Assemble shipping.  By providing a glue-less, tool-less fastening method, Lockdowel is helping companies take much of the waste and time out of their production.  Their quality improves with less rework and fewer returns, and productivity increases significantly,” Anderson says. “I know many customers want an invisible fastener that provides sturdy joints, and Lockdowel is a perfect solution.”

“I’ve seen a lot of exciting trends in woodworking, and a fastening solution that increases a company’s capacity by 60% without adding headcount means it’s time to change the industry’s paradigm.”
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Anderson says customers are his number one focus and he will be talking with as many as possible. He encourages companies to call him to discuss their needs and how Lockdowel can help them improve productivity and profitability:  (650)477-7112  ext. 101
 
About Lockdowel
Lockdowel manufactures glue-less, tool-less invisible fasteners and snap-in drawer slides and hinges for fast and easy installation and assembly of cabinets, furniture and architectural millwork. Patent pending.
Lockdowel 41920 Christy Street  Fremont, CA  94538, (650) 477 7112 www.lockdowel.com   See Lockdowel fastening assembly at --   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugLbDTTOtg

Festool has just launched the “Trade Up to Festool” campaign, which starts today and will run through October 31, 2018. Customers who buy a new, Festool 55-series saw or Festool plunge router can send in any brand of used power tool, regardless of age or condition, and receive a $100 USD or $120 CAD prepaid Mastercard. The Trade Up promotion is the first of its kind for Festool, a premier power tool manufacturer, whose award-winning, German-made power tools and equipment are used by remodelers, carpenters, painters, cabinetmakers, and other professional tool users.
 
“We’re passionate about all of our tools and their unique functionality,” says Aaron Brading, Chief Sales Officer. “’Trade Up to Festool’ will provide an incentive for professionals to see how our 55-series saws and plunge routers will improve their work results and contribute to their bottom line, and existing customers now have an additional reason to expand their Festool line of power tools.”
 
How “Trade Up to Festool” works:

• Purchase any Festool 55-series saw or Festool plunge router between September 1, 2018 and October 31, 2018 and go to www.festoolusa.com/promo or www.festoolcanada.com/promo
• Send in any used power tool, regardless of age or condition - Festool will provide customers with a pre-paid shipping label
• Receive a $100 USD or $120 CAD prepaid Mastercard four to six weeks after the old tool has been received
• For complete Trade Up to Festool guidelines, go to Festool USA or Festool Canada

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About Festool
Founded in Germany in 1925, Festool is known for its innovative, precision-engineered power tool solutions.  Based in Lebanon, IN, Festool USA offers a comprehensive lineup of power tools and system accessories, designed to boost productivity through efficiency and high performance. For more information, visit www.festoolusa.com or www.festoolcanada.com.

The Cabinet Makers Association (CMA) is pleased to announce their shop tours the day before the Wood Pro Expo in Lancaster have sold out. However, they will host another event in November in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
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The registrations for the full day of shop tours in Lancaster on October 17 has reached the allotted capacity. This event will be held the day before the Wood Pro Expo and will visit local CMA members in the Lancaster area.

The CMA will host one more event this year on November 9 in Colorado Springs at The MiLL that also includes a tour of Concepts in Millwork. Register now to reserve your spot before this event sells out too. For more details and registration information, please visit www.cabinetmakers.org/events

The CMA has been hosting high-value events like this since 1998 as a means of connecting similar-sized shops around North America with the purpose of sharing best practices and business acumen, while learning how other businesses do what they do. In addition to the agenda, the regional events also encourage networking by providing an opportunity to talk shop and share issues, solutions, and even projects. 

About the Cabinet Makers Association
Celebrating 20 years, the Cabinet Makers Association was incorporated in 1998 by a group of custom cabinet makers who thought the small to mid-size shop needed to network and help each other grow profitably. Currently, CMA membership is made up primarily of 20 or fewer employee operations, with the vast majority of those being 1-5 person shops. For more information, visit www.cabinetmakers.org.